Abstract: A wheel-shaped pressure-resistant vessel for storing gaseous, liquid or liquefied fuel and which has a substantially rigid shape. Specifically, the vessel contains a substantially continuous shell of a fiber-reinforced resin. The shell has a central opening, an inner lining and an axial reinforcement member. The shell has a substantial mechanical equilibrium shape such that the axial member is situated in a central opening. The axial member contains an inner member and two end plates, with each of the end plates fixing the shell to the inner member. Further, the axial member is attached, through both end plates, to the shell such that outer surfaces of the shell are pulled towards each other, thus reinforcing the vessel and maintaining the vessel, even while it is pressurized, in its wheel-like shape.

Abstract: A geometrically-shaped bag for lifting and positioning objects has a layer of fluid impermeable, non-porous material forming an expandable bladder having opposite ends and a first layer of wound strands enclosing the expandable bladder. A method of manufacturing the bag comprises the steps of providing a geometrically-shaped mold member having an axis of rotation extending through opposite ends of the mold member, coating the mold member with fluid impermeable, non-porous material to form an expandable bladder having opposite ends, winding a first layer of strands onto the mold member over the expandable bladder, and removing the mold member from the expandable bag.